Giannis Antetokounmpo, Giannis trade, Miami Heat, Giannis to Miami
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during a game at Fiserv Forum on January 23, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
It appears the Miami Heat have moved to the front and center as the most likely landing spot for Giannis Antetokounmpo, alongside the New York Knicks.
First, Marc Stein reported Tuesday that various league executives believe the Heat may have the best shot of landing the “Greek Freak” from the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
“So what team out there could actually tempt the Bucks into a deal in the next week-plus? The most common answer to that question when posed to various league executives continues to be Miami,” Stein wrote in his Substack.
“Now is that merely because the Heat themselves are said to be transmitting a vibe of confidence that they can somehow sway the Bucks? Possibly. Miami, for what it’s worth, is said to believe it has a real shot at crafting a pathway to Antetokounmpo.”
Heat Among Giannis’ Preferred Spots
Then, TruHoop’s Henry Abbot noted that the Heat feature in Antetokounmpo’s list of preferred landing spots, next to the Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
“One person told me that Giannis’ preferred list is three teams: the Heat, the Wolves and the Knicks,” Abbot said.
“Now, another person told me that it is not his list, but would not tell me what his list is. So take it all with a grain of salt,” he continued.
“From everything I’ve heard, Giannis would like to play for the Knicks, but I can’t figure out how they could possibly offer the package that the Bucks would like the most.”
Potential Giannis to Miami Trade Package
The one major advantage the Heat have over the Knicks and Timberwolves is their ability to trade two first-round picks, something the other two teams can’t. Furthermore, they have intriguing young pieces such as Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez, as well as a proven All-Star like Tyler Herro, to make a compelling offer to the Bucks.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks highlighted recently that the Heat could package the contracts of Herro and Andrew Wiggins, along with their young studs, to pull off a Giannis trade. However, the only issue could be that the Heat’s picks are in the early 2030s, while the Bucks may prefer immediate draft assets to begin the post-Giannis era.
“The Heat are positioned to take back Antetokounmpo’s salary and still not be impeded by the first apron hard cap,” he wrote. “While the Heat have young players such as Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr., a sticking point in any potential trade talks with Milwaukee would be Miami’s two available firsts — in 2030 and 2032.”
All signs point to the Bucks moving their longtime franchise star either by the Feb. 5 trade deadline or this offseason, even as he’s sidelined indefinitely with a calf strain. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year is ready to move on from his 13-year stint with the Cream City.
“Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote on X.
Shams Charania
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home at the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline or in the offseason as several rival teams make aggressive offers to the Milwaukee Bucks for him, and the franchise is starting to listen, league sources tell ESPN.